1. According to Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA),
which of the following scenarios requires a certified applicator to provide "direct
supervision" (being physically present the entire time)?
A) Spraying a field for weeds.
B) Treating baseboards for ants in an empty warehouse.
C) Applying pesticide in a school kitchen.
D) Mixing concentrate in a shed.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Direct supervision is required for "high-risk" sites including schools,
hospitals, and daycares. The certified applicator must be on-site for the entire
application.
2. You are reading a pesticide label and see the signal word "WARNING" and the
statement "Harmful if swallowed." According to Alberta standards, this product is:
A) Extremely toxic (Fatal if swallowed).
B) Moderately toxic.
C) Slightly toxic.
D) Non-toxic to humans.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "DANGER" = High toxicity; "WARNING" = Moderate toxicity; "CAUTION" =
Low toxicity.
3. An "Authorized Assistant" differs from a "Non-Certified Assistant" because the
Authorized Assistant:
A) Can work without any supervision at all.
B) Has passed the Core Exam and can apply certain pesticides without daily on-site
supervision.
C) Is allowed to purchase restricted pesticides.
D) Only needs to be 16 years old.
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: An Authorized Assistant has passed the Core Exam. They can apply
pesticides listed in Section 5(12) of the Code without the certified applicator being
there every day, though general supervision remains.
4. Your certificate expires on your birthday in 2026. You have earned 14
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in the past 4 years, but you have 0 credits in the
"Application Technology" category. What is your status?
A) You are fully recertified because you have 14 total credits.
B) You need 1 more credit in any category.
C) You need at least 2 credits in Application Technology to recertify.
D) You must rewrite the exam.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Recertification requires 15 total CEUs and specific minimum credits in
concept areas, including 2 in Application Technology.
5. You spill a small amount of concentrated insecticide on your arm. The label has
a skull and crossbones. After removing contaminated clothing, you should wash
the area for:
A) 30 seconds.
B) 5 minutes.
C) 15-20 minutes.
D) Until the paramedics arrive.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For highly toxic (DANGER) chemicals, immediate flushing with water for 15-
20 minutes is the standard first aid to dilute and remove the chemical.
6. A client sees one mouse in their kitchen. According to IPM principles, what is
the FIRST action you should take?
A) Apply a liquid spray insecticide to the baseboards.
B) Set up snap traps and seal entry points (exclusion).
C) Fog the entire house immediately.
D) Leave poison bait blocks out in the open.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: IPM prioritizes monitoring and non-chemical methods (sanitation,
exclusion) before widespread chemical application. Traps help you determine the
severity of the infestation.
,7. You are treating a restaurant for cockroaches. Where are you LEAST likely to
find them during the day?
A) Inside the control panel of a coffee machine.
B) In the gap between the wall and a refrigerator motor.
C) In the middle of the clean, dry kitchen floor.
D) Inside a cardboard box stored on a shelf.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cockroaches are nocturnal and hide in cracks, crevices, and near
heat/moisture sources (motors, appliances). They avoid open, dry, brightly lit floors.
8. Which pest leaves behind "frass" that looks like coarse sawdust or pencil
shavings?
A) House Mouse
B) Norway Rat
C) Carpenter Ant
D) German Cockroach
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Carpenter ants do not eat wood; they excavate it to build nests. They push
the debris (frass) out of the nest, which often contains insect body parts and sawdust.
9. Why is "German Cockroach" control often more difficult than other species?
A) They only live outdoors.
B) They reproduce rapidly, are small, and hide in harborage zones.
C) They are immune to all gel baits.
D) They only feed on human blood.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The German cockroach has a very fast reproductive cycle, small size
allowing them to hide in tiny cracks, and has developed resistance to many common
sprays.
10. You find a rat burrow next to a concrete foundation. What is the maximum
distance you should place a bait block inside that burrow?
A) Directly at the opening
B) 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm)
C) 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm)
D) As far back as you can reach
, Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bait should be placed deep enough that non-target animals can't reach it,
but not so deep that rodents avoid it. 6-12 inches is standard.
11. You are treating baseboards for ants. Your sprayer nozzle is producing a very
fine mist. What is the PRIMARY risk?
A) It will leave a sticky residue.
B) It will cause the paint to peel.
C) The fine droplets will drift into air vents or food surfaces.
D) It will clog the hose immediately.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Drift is a major liability in structural pest control. Fine mist (small droplets)
stays airborne longer and can drift into sensitive areas like HVAC systems, food prep
areas, or children's rooms.
12. When should you use a dust formulation (e.g., diatomaceous earth or silica gel)
instead of a liquid spray?
A) On open food preparation tables.
B) In wall voids and behind electrical switch plates.
C) On wet bathroom floors.
D) As a broadcast treatment over carpet.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dusts are excellent for voids because they stay put, are not absorbed by
porous surfaces, and provide long residual control. They should not be used in wet areas
(they clump) or exposed surfaces (they drift).
13. The wind speed is measured at 18 km/h on a residential job site. What should
you do?
A) Increase the spray pressure to push through the wind.
B) Use a finer nozzle to stick to the wall better.
C) Postpone the application until the wind decreases.
D) Spray only the side of the building facing the wind.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Alberta guidelines generally consider winds over 16 km/h a drift hazard.
You are responsible for preventing off-target movement.
14. You are using a gel bait for cockroaches. Why are gels preferred over sprays in
a kitchen?
which of the following scenarios requires a certified applicator to provide "direct
supervision" (being physically present the entire time)?
A) Spraying a field for weeds.
B) Treating baseboards for ants in an empty warehouse.
C) Applying pesticide in a school kitchen.
D) Mixing concentrate in a shed.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Direct supervision is required for "high-risk" sites including schools,
hospitals, and daycares. The certified applicator must be on-site for the entire
application.
2. You are reading a pesticide label and see the signal word "WARNING" and the
statement "Harmful if swallowed." According to Alberta standards, this product is:
A) Extremely toxic (Fatal if swallowed).
B) Moderately toxic.
C) Slightly toxic.
D) Non-toxic to humans.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "DANGER" = High toxicity; "WARNING" = Moderate toxicity; "CAUTION" =
Low toxicity.
3. An "Authorized Assistant" differs from a "Non-Certified Assistant" because the
Authorized Assistant:
A) Can work without any supervision at all.
B) Has passed the Core Exam and can apply certain pesticides without daily on-site
supervision.
C) Is allowed to purchase restricted pesticides.
D) Only needs to be 16 years old.
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: An Authorized Assistant has passed the Core Exam. They can apply
pesticides listed in Section 5(12) of the Code without the certified applicator being
there every day, though general supervision remains.
4. Your certificate expires on your birthday in 2026. You have earned 14
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in the past 4 years, but you have 0 credits in the
"Application Technology" category. What is your status?
A) You are fully recertified because you have 14 total credits.
B) You need 1 more credit in any category.
C) You need at least 2 credits in Application Technology to recertify.
D) You must rewrite the exam.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Recertification requires 15 total CEUs and specific minimum credits in
concept areas, including 2 in Application Technology.
5. You spill a small amount of concentrated insecticide on your arm. The label has
a skull and crossbones. After removing contaminated clothing, you should wash
the area for:
A) 30 seconds.
B) 5 minutes.
C) 15-20 minutes.
D) Until the paramedics arrive.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For highly toxic (DANGER) chemicals, immediate flushing with water for 15-
20 minutes is the standard first aid to dilute and remove the chemical.
6. A client sees one mouse in their kitchen. According to IPM principles, what is
the FIRST action you should take?
A) Apply a liquid spray insecticide to the baseboards.
B) Set up snap traps and seal entry points (exclusion).
C) Fog the entire house immediately.
D) Leave poison bait blocks out in the open.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: IPM prioritizes monitoring and non-chemical methods (sanitation,
exclusion) before widespread chemical application. Traps help you determine the
severity of the infestation.
,7. You are treating a restaurant for cockroaches. Where are you LEAST likely to
find them during the day?
A) Inside the control panel of a coffee machine.
B) In the gap between the wall and a refrigerator motor.
C) In the middle of the clean, dry kitchen floor.
D) Inside a cardboard box stored on a shelf.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cockroaches are nocturnal and hide in cracks, crevices, and near
heat/moisture sources (motors, appliances). They avoid open, dry, brightly lit floors.
8. Which pest leaves behind "frass" that looks like coarse sawdust or pencil
shavings?
A) House Mouse
B) Norway Rat
C) Carpenter Ant
D) German Cockroach
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Carpenter ants do not eat wood; they excavate it to build nests. They push
the debris (frass) out of the nest, which often contains insect body parts and sawdust.
9. Why is "German Cockroach" control often more difficult than other species?
A) They only live outdoors.
B) They reproduce rapidly, are small, and hide in harborage zones.
C) They are immune to all gel baits.
D) They only feed on human blood.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The German cockroach has a very fast reproductive cycle, small size
allowing them to hide in tiny cracks, and has developed resistance to many common
sprays.
10. You find a rat burrow next to a concrete foundation. What is the maximum
distance you should place a bait block inside that burrow?
A) Directly at the opening
B) 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm)
C) 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm)
D) As far back as you can reach
, Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bait should be placed deep enough that non-target animals can't reach it,
but not so deep that rodents avoid it. 6-12 inches is standard.
11. You are treating baseboards for ants. Your sprayer nozzle is producing a very
fine mist. What is the PRIMARY risk?
A) It will leave a sticky residue.
B) It will cause the paint to peel.
C) The fine droplets will drift into air vents or food surfaces.
D) It will clog the hose immediately.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Drift is a major liability in structural pest control. Fine mist (small droplets)
stays airborne longer and can drift into sensitive areas like HVAC systems, food prep
areas, or children's rooms.
12. When should you use a dust formulation (e.g., diatomaceous earth or silica gel)
instead of a liquid spray?
A) On open food preparation tables.
B) In wall voids and behind electrical switch plates.
C) On wet bathroom floors.
D) As a broadcast treatment over carpet.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dusts are excellent for voids because they stay put, are not absorbed by
porous surfaces, and provide long residual control. They should not be used in wet areas
(they clump) or exposed surfaces (they drift).
13. The wind speed is measured at 18 km/h on a residential job site. What should
you do?
A) Increase the spray pressure to push through the wind.
B) Use a finer nozzle to stick to the wall better.
C) Postpone the application until the wind decreases.
D) Spray only the side of the building facing the wind.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Alberta guidelines generally consider winds over 16 km/h a drift hazard.
You are responsible for preventing off-target movement.
14. You are using a gel bait for cockroaches. Why are gels preferred over sprays in
a kitchen?
